The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1887-08-20
PRIDE---An Old Mans
Story.

] sometimes uttered taunts which
no human being could suffer III sill
ence. Then came reply and when
this reply did como-such scenes as
occurred | would work myself in
TO an insane passion, and utter
words which in my cooler moments
/ shuddcred at, and which invaria-
bly, drove her weeping, from the
room. And yet, soon after, would
she come to me and beg to be for
given for the very words which /
had forced her to utter. The de-
mon within me rejoiced to see her
pride thus humbled before mine, for
never, no matter how much in fault,
did ] seek Il reconciliation. My
temper became more and more vio-
lent, and at length, in one of our us
ual quarrels, proposed separa-
tion-Had a serpent stung her she
would not have gazed on it as she
did on me. Never shall forget her
look, so deathly pale, as she came
near me and placed her hand on
my arm.
"Horace," she said, "do you think
| could survive such an act Do
you think I would cast a stain upon
my young sisters DO you think l
would send my grey-haircd parents
sorrowing to the grave Would
see another woman your bride =?
Would bear the worlds sneering
pity ? Never! never Il will die
first. Prosecute me, torture me, in
flict every refinement of cruelty up
on me, if you will but never will |
consent to such a proceeding-never
shall the world call me other than
your wife so long as we both shall
live. You came to me when | was
young and happy you took me
from home where had never
known sorrow you have bhghted
the hopes Of my young life, and
now, now you seek to cast me away
like n toy of which you have wear
led.
: | rccoiled at myself but | re-
mained unchanged.
We had been married four years
and Emily had greatly changed in
that time The gay, light-hcarted
girl had become the calm, dignified
woman. The world looked upon us
as examples Of matrimonial happi-
ness, for we were both too proud to
betray the truth OF late Emily's
manner had altered she ceased tc
reply to my fits of passion neither
did she come and seek to effect re-
conciliation with me- An icy calm
reigncd between us This existed
for some time but while / wished
it broken, my pridcprevcnted me
from making the first advances
Fain would | have had it dispelled
by any means which would not hu
initiate me for, with all my un'
kindness, really loved my wife, re-
gretted the violence of my temper
and lamcnted my want of self-con'
troll. But now what should | do
My pride forbade any advances from
my side, and feared that non,
would come from hers. | saw a
length that her pride was aroused
and / dreaded that she would obey
its dictates, even though it broke
her heart, for | knew she still loved
me. Day by day her cheek grew
paler-her form thinner, and | saw
she suffered but my fendish pride
would not give way. Some times
when had determined to effect q
reconciliation, when next we mef
a cold bow from her, with her state
ly manner, again awokc the demon
within me, and my good resolutions
were broken.
Thus matters stood when, one
day, entered the room, where she
was sitting, and excited by wine
which, lately, was frequently til,
case, | commenced upraiding he
!, about some triile. She answered
not, but continued her work.
piece Of delicate embroidery. En-
ragged at her silence, | snatched i
: from her hands, threw it on the car
pet, and placed my foot on it TIL,
blood rushed to her pale chcek-heI
eyes flashed with their former fire
as she sprung to her feet, and bad,
me restore it to her.
so icicle,' replied, are vol
melted at last? Give it to you! n,
indeed will teach you more re
spect for your husband than yol
have lately shown See l contin
ued, as picked it up and tore it t,
fragments, "sec there is the "trip
perry which you think more worth,
of your attention than your hus